Parapsychology & J.B. Rhine

Hosted byGeorge Noory

Parapsychology & J.B. Rhine

About the show

Author Stacy Horn discussed her research into the work of Dr. J.B. Rhine who led the Duke University Parapsychology Lab from 1930 to 1980. Prof. Rhine was the first to apply the scientific method in studying parapsychology and came up with repeatable experiments that showed telepathy, psychokinesis, and precognition do exist, to some degree. For instance, Zener Cards that depict five different designs were used in double blind studies and demonstrated that some people have ESP abilities.

Horn went through boxes of Rhine's correspondence with well known figures such as Einstein & Nixon, as well as people involved in paranormal activity such as Rev. Luther Schultz who initially dealt with the "possessed" boy in the 1949 case that the movie & book The Exorcist was based on. Schultz believed that a poltergeist was the cause of the disruptions rather than demonic possession, she noted. The Rhine Lab investigated cases of poltergeist activity, and their possible connections to psychokinetic abilities. It found that 17 out of 65 cases had no normal explanation, she reported.

Throughout his half-century of research, Rhine's work faced negative and disparaging reactions from scientists at large, said Horn. After his death, the Parapsychology Lab left Duke, and reformed as the private Rhine Research Center. While Princeton's PEAR Lab closed in 2007, the University of Virginia currently offers a Division of Perceptual Studies which studies the paranormal.

Pat Boone Visit

First hour guest, actor/singer Pat Boone visited with George in the studio and talked about the new book he co-wrote with Cord Cooper, Questions About God: And the Answers That Could Change Your Life.

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